Punjab National Bank has finally opened the doors for aspiring bank officers with the release of the PNB LBO Notification 2026, inviting applications for 545 Local Bank Officer posts across the country. If you’ve been tracking state-specific banking recruitment and want a role rooted in your own region, this notification deserves your full attention. The PNB LBO Online application 2026 has started on July 20, 2026, at the official website – pnb.bank.in. In this article, we break down every detail you need: vacancies, eligibility, dates, exam pattern, fee, and the application process, verified directly from the official PNB notification.
The PNB LBO 2026 Notification covers recruitment for the Local Bank Officer post under Scale JMGS-I, and candidates are selected through a structured four-phase process. Before diving into the specifics, here’s a quick snapshot of the entire recruitment drive. This overview table sums up the core details every applicant should know before starting the online form.
| Particulars | Details |
| Organisation | Punjab National Bank (PNB) |
| Post Name | Local Bank Officer (LBO) |
| Grade/Scale | JMGS-I |
| Total Vacancies | 545 |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Registration Period | 20.07.2026 to 09.08.2026 |
| Probation Period | 2 years |
| Service Bond | 3 years (or Rs. 2,00,000) |
| Selection Process | Written Test, Screening, LLPT, Interview |
| Scale of Pay | 48480-2000/7-62480-2340/2-67160-2680/7-85920 |
| Official Website | pnb.bank.in |
The Notification timeline is tight, so applicants should avoid waiting until the last date to register. Below are all the key dates confirmed in the official advertisement. Mark these dates on your calendar so you don’t miss the registration window or the tentative test schedule.
| Event | Date |
| Opening of Online Registration | 20.07.2026 |
| Closing of Online Registration | 09.08.2026 |
| Cut-off Date for Age | 01.07.2026 |
| Tentative Online Written Test | August 2026/ September 2026 |
| Call Letter Download | To be notified on pnb.bank.in |
The PNB LBO vacancy 2026 list spans 17 states, and each state has its own mandatory local language requirement that candidates must be proficient in. You can apply for only one state, so pick carefully based on the language you’re comfortable with.
Here is the complete state-wise vacancy and language distribution as notified by the bank.
| State | Mandatory Language | Vacancies |
| Andhra Pradesh | Telugu | 4 |
| Gujarat | Gujarati | 77 |
| Karnataka | Kannada | 78 |
| Maharashtra | Marathi | 67 |
| Telangana | Telugu | 41 |
| Tamil Nadu | Tamil | 51 |
| West Bengal | Bengali | 80 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Urdu/Dogri/Kashmiri | 9 |
| Ladakh | Urdu/Purgi/Bhoti | 2 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | English | 4 |
| Assam | Assamese/Bodo | 85 |
| Manipur | Manipuri/Meitei | 6 |
| Meghalaya | Garo/Khasi | 8 |
| Mizoram | Mizo | 5 |
| Nagaland | English | 5 |
| Sikkim | Nepali/Sikkimese | 5 |
| Tripura | Bengali/Kokborok | 18 |
Candidates who haven’t studied the local language as a subject in 10th or 12th standard must clear the Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) before final selection.
PNB LBO eligibility criteria 2026 cover educational qualification, age limit, and mandatory banking experience, and candidates must satisfy all three to be considered. Missing even one condition can lead to rejection during document screening.
A candidate must be a graduate in any discipline from a University or Institution recognised by the Government of India or its regulatory bodies. The degree/mark sheet must be valid and the percentage must be declared to two decimal places while registering.
The age bracket is fixed for the general category, with relaxations extended to reserved categories as per government norms.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
| General/EWS | 20–30 years (no relaxation) |
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| PwBD | 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 5 years |
| Persons affected by 1984 riots | 5 years |
Candidates must have a minimum of one year post-qualification work experience in Clerical or Officer cadre in any Scheduled Commercial Bank or Regional Rural Bank listed under the RBI Act, 1934. Officers with prior banking experience matching a Scale-I Generalist Officer’s job profile may also get up to two advance increments.
Applying for the PNB LBO 2026 is a fully online process through the bank’s official career portal, and no other mode of application is accepted. Keep your documents and scanned images ready before you begin.
The PNB LBO application fee 2026 is category-based and must be paid online through the integrated payment gateway during registration. Once paid, the fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.
| Category | Fee (incl. GST) |
| SC/ST/PwBD | Rs. 50 + 18% GST = Rs. 59 |
| All Others | Rs. 1,000 + 18% GST = Rs. 1,180 |
The PNB LBO selection process 2026 is designed to test aptitude, language proficiency, and interview readiness across four distinct stages. Only candidates who clear each qualifying stage move forward to the final merit list.
The PNB LBO exam pattern 2026 consists of 150 objective questions across five sections, with sectional timing and negative marking applied throughout. Candidates must clear the minimum qualifying marks in every individual section, not just overall.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 25 | 25 | 35 minutes |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 25 | 25 | 35 minutes |
| English Language | 25 | 25 | 25 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 | 35 minutes |
| General/Economy/Banking Awareness | 50 | 50 | 50 minutes |
| Total | 150 | 150 | 180 minutes |
Qualifying marks are 40% per section for General/EWS candidates and 35% per section for reserved category candidates, though the bank reserves the right to revise this criterion.
Selected candidates join at the JMGS-I scale with a starting pay structure of 48480-2000/7-62480-2340/2-67160-2680/7-85920, growing steadily through fixed annual increments. Beyond basic pay, officers also receive a strong set of allowances and benefits.
Q1. What is the last date to apply for PNB LBO 2026?
The online registration for PNB LBO Notification 2026 closes on 9th August 2026. Candidates are advised to apply well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues on the portal.
Q2. How many vacancies are announced in PNB LBO Notification 2026?
Punjab National Bank has announced 545 vacancies for the Local Bank Officer post, spread across 17 states, each carrying its own state-specific mandatory local language requirement.
Q3. What is the age limit for PNB LBO 2026?
Candidates must be between 20 and 30 years as on 01.07.2026, with standard age relaxation applicable for SC/ST, OBC, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen categories as per government rules.
Q4. Is prior banking experience mandatory for PNB LBO?
Yes, candidates need a minimum one-year post-qualification work experience in Clerical/Officer cadre at a Scheduled Commercial Bank or RRB listed under the RBI Act, 1934.
Q5. What is the application fee for PNB LBO 2026?
The fee is Rs. 59 (incl. GST) for SC/ST/PwBD candidates and Rs. 1,180 (incl. GST) for all other category candidates, payable only through online mode.
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